Saddle-stirrup.



J. F. SHULTZ.

SADDLE STIRRUP. APPLICATION FILED 001221, 1909 976,406. Patented N0v.22,1910. My EE:L L 12 Witweoow 5 flames F .Shuliz l I 'nuenboa J. F.SHULTZ.

SADDLE STIRRUP.

APPLICATION FILED 001221, 1909.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

2 SHBETIHHEBT 2..

JAMES F. SI-IULTZ, 0F CODY, TEXAS.

SADDLE-STIRRUP.

ovenoe.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV, 22, 1910.

Application filed October 21, 1909. Serial No. 523,829.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. SHULTZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cody, in the county of Waller, State of Texas, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Saddle-Stirrups; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to saddle stirrups and particularly to that classwhich are adapted to be automatically detached from the stirrup strap incase the rider is thrown.

To this end the object of the invention resides in the production of astirrup of the type named which will comprise improved mechanism adaptedto be actuated by the movement of the foot of the rider for releasingthe engagement between the stirrup strap and the hanger bar of thestirrup and thus provide against the possibility of a person thrown froma horse being dragged and seriously injured.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thedetails of construction and in the arrangement and combination of partsto be hereinafter more fully described and set forth in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicatelike parts in the several views, and in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a stirrup constructed in accordancewith the invention; Fig. 2, a top plan view; Fig. 3, a section on theline 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4:, a fragmental side elevation of the stirrup;Fig. 5, a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a view similar toFig. 2 showing the position of the parts when actuated by the foot of athrown rider; and Fig. 7 a fragmental rear elevation of the stirrup withthe various parts in the position shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, 8 indicates the stirrup frame having formedtherethrough at each terminal corresponding slots 9 and 10. Projectingoutwardly from each terminal of the frame are flanges 11 and 12 whichbridge the slots 9 and 10 respectively at their upper ends. Disposed intheslots 9 and 10 respectively and pivotally connected with the stirrupframe are the sections 13 and 14: of the hanger of the stirrup. Thesection 13 has its inner end provided with a vertically disposed tongue15 while the section 1 1 has formed therethrough a vertically disposedgroove adapted to receive said tongue when the sections are disposed endto end in alinement. The length of the slots 9 and 10 is such as topermit the inner end of said sections to move upwardly for a purpose tobe hereinafter described, a corresponding downward movement of the innerends of said sections being prevented by the engagement of theirrespective outer ends with the flanges 11 and 12.

Projecting from the front face of the stirrup frame and secured theretoin any suitable manner (preferably by forming same integral with theframe) are the lugs 15 and 16; the lug 15 having formed thereon thespaced ears 17 while the lug 16 is likewise provided with correspondingspaced cars 18.

Journ'aled between the ears 17 is a locking and releasing devicecomprising a locking member 19 which is normally adapted to be disposeddirectly beneath the outer end of the section 13 of the hanger bar; saidlooking member, when normally disposed serving to prevent any upwardmovement of the inner end of the section 13 by reason of the engagementof the outer end of said section therewith. Formed with said lockingmember 19 and disposed transversely of the stirrup, when the lockingmember 19 is in nor mal locking position is a tripping toe 20.Projecting inwardly of the locking member 19 is a pair of spaced ears 21and 22 which lie between the cars 17 of the lug 15. The journal bolt 17which pivotally connects the locking and releasing device with the lug15 passes through the ears 17 of the lug and ears 21 and 22 of thelooking and releasing device; and a torsional spring 23, is disposedaround said journal bolt and constantly tends to move and hold thelocking and releasing device in position to prevent any upward movementof the inner end of the section 18 of the hanger bar. Projectinglaterally from the stirrup frame is a lug 24 which serves to sustain thelocking member 19 when excessive strain is transmitted thereto by thesection 13, due to weight applied to the stirrup.

As the locking and releasing device which is journaled between the ears18 is identical, both in operation and structure with the locking andreleasing device journaled between the ears 17, a detail descriptionthere V of will be omitted herein it being sufficient I the 7 trippingtoe 26 to say that same is disposed oppositely to the locking andreleasing device just described and comprises a locking member 25 and apositioned at substantially right angles to the locking member.-' Atorsional spring 28 constructed precisely as spring 23 serves tonormally move and hold locking member directly beneath the outer end ofthe section 14 of the hanger bar 7 of the stirrup whereby any upwardmovement of theinner end of said hanger bar is normally prevented. Asupporting lug 29 similar to lug 24 and serving exactly the same ofliceis positioned directly beneath the lower end of the slot 10.

The operation of the stirrup is as follows: Assuming the parts to beinthe position shown in Fig. 1 it will be readily seen that the lockingmember 19 is disposed beneath the outer end of the section 13 of thehanger bar, while the locking member 25 is disposed beneath the outerend of the section 14, and that by reason of the engagement of the outerend of said sections with the locking members 19 and 25 respectively theinner ends of saidsections are locked against upward movement and thatwhen the stirrup strap is looped around said section'the stirrup will bepositively supported thereby. However, should the rider be thrown in theuse of the stirrup the toe portion of the foot will move upwardly andrearwardly and engage thetripping toes 20 and 26 and cause said toes tobe moved rearwardly, which will inrturn throw the locking members 19 and25 outwardly from beneath the outer ends of the sections 13 and 14: ofthe hanger bar. The strain of the stirrup strap on the sections 13 and14 will then cause said sections to rock on their pivots so that theirinner ends are moved upwardly and away from each other and effect thedetachment of the stirrup from the strap and prevent the rider beingdragged and seriously injured.

What is, claimed is 1'. In a stirrup, the combmation of a stirrup frame,a hanger bar comprising a pair of sections pivoted respectively toopposite sides of the frame, the outer ends of each section projectingbeyond the outer face of the frame, a locking member pivoted to eachside of the frame for movement in a horizontal plane, each of saidlocking members comprising a pair of angularly disposed arms, one ofsaid arms being adapted to engage the outer end of the adjacent sectionof the hanger bar when said locking member is disposed in one positionto hold said section against movement on its pivot, and the other armextending across the stirrup frame and constituting a tripping toe, andmeans constantly tending to move said locking member on its pivot so asto force the first named arm int-o engagement with the end of theadjacent section of the hanger bar.

2. In a stirrup, the comblnation of a stirrup frame, a hanger bar comrising a pair of sections pivoted respective y to opposite sides of theframe, the outer ends of each section projecting beyond the outer faceof the frame, a locking member pivoted to each side of the frame formovement in a horizontal plane, each of said locking members comprisinga pair of angularly disposed arms, one of said arms being adapted toengage the outer end of the adjacent section of the hanger bar when saidlocking member is disposed in one position to hold said section againstmovement on its pivot, and the other arm extending across the stirrupframe and constituting a tripping toe, and spring actuated meansconstantly tending to move said locking member on its pivot so as toforce the first named arm into engagement with the end of the adjacentsection of the hanger bar.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES 1 sHULTz.

Witnesses THOS. BALLARD, W. H. LEE.

